My GPS has disconnected

[Enphoti]

I continue to get a message on my Charge 5 that my GPS has disconnected during my run. The message and GPS disconnection started with the last firmware update and seems to appear when I am running laps around my neighborhood, rather than running in one direction. Does anyone have the same problem and know how to fix? I did a soft restart on the Charge 5 but still have the problem. 

[charleskn]

One thing to try is to wear the Charge 5 more loosely on your wrist (I know). Some tech reviews indicated the GPS antenna is in a poor location, and GPS works best if the watch is loose (but this will obviously negatively affect the ability to measure your HR).

I just suck it up and use my phone in connected mode.

[Enphoti]

Yeah, I saw that review also. The GPS disconnecting started to happen more with the recent firmware update. It would run the full time but be less accurate in the past. Now it seems to have better accuracy but stop about 20 min into my run. Interesting, it does not do this when I run in a straight line. Only when I run in laps does it error out. So wondering if this is an issue due to the recent firmware update 57.20001.171.50. I guess you would not know if GPS changed for you since you use your phone 😉 Trying to run phone free!

[charleskn]

My charge 5 is brand new, so I don't have a comparison of firmware versions. I understand about running phone free, but since I: A) want my tunes and B) record my runs on Polar and Strava with the phone, I am stuck running with a phone.

I may try running this weekend's 5k with the Fitbit using the internal GPS, just for giggles.

[Enphoti]

Well if you do run on internal GPS, let me know if it disconnects on you also.

[charleskn]

I turned on internal GPS for today's run, and all went well, though the GPS performance was just OK. Here are screenshots from Fitbit (internal GPS), Strava & Polar (both using the phone's GPS). The area has open sections (mostly the "vertical" portion) and sections that are pretty heavily covered by tree canopy (the "horizontal" portion).

[Enphoti]

Nice, thanks for the post. I actually loosened the strap last run and got it to record the whole run! Do you notice that the charge 5 records a longer distance than your other apps? The actual distance of my run is about 3.7 miles (per google maps), but the fitbit records 4.2 miles.

[charleskn]

This run was a 5k. 3.12 on Strava with my phone on an unofficially measured 5k route. You can see that Fitbit called it 3.25 miles, or 3.22. Fitbit is nuts and can't decide which 😉